TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Since the start of the year, there has been much discussion -- both in Sacramento and here in Kern County -- about the implications of the projected $27-plus billion deficit. As a member of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, I feel that it is important to provide an update regarding the current state budget crisis.

The Legislature has 45 days until it is constitutionally required to pass the state budget.

To date, the Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown have reduced the initial budget deficit by more than $11 billion through significant cuts.

Those unfortunate but necessary initial deep cuts included a $1 billion cut to the University of California and California State University systems, as well as a $400 million reduction to the California Community College system budget.

Medi-Cal was cut $1.6 billion, CalWORKs (welfare-to-work) lost $1.1 billion and there were several other cuts that directly impact communities throughout the state, including Kern County.

Unfortunately, these cuts are only half of the equation. The outstanding budgetary gap still requires either the extension of existing taxes -- which amount to $12.5 billion -- or an "all-cuts" budget. As a Legislature, our discussion must also include enacting pension reform, instilling fiscal discipline and removing the regulatory red tape that inhibits economic growth and job creation in the Central Valley.

Preparing for the worst means learning what an "all-cuts" budget means to Kern County. As such, I convened a panel of experts April 20 that highlighted the economic and social impacts that would occur here locally if a state budget is enacted without existing revenue streams. The purpose of the Budget Town Hall was very simple: to listen.

As a result, I learned that an "all-cuts" budget would be particularly devastating in public safety and education. More than 130 Kern County sheriff's deputies and Bakersfield police officers would lose their jobs and no longer patrol our streets and keep criminals incarcerated.

More than100 probation officers would be axed from our public safety front line. At least four prosecutors in the District Attorney's office would no longer be able to hold criminals accountable.

In education, 100 more local teachers would be laid off, which would bring the total to more than 500 teacher layoffs over the last several years. After-school programs, sports and music programs in schools would be eliminated. Children would attend one fewer month of school, losing out on valuable instructional time. Local community colleges would turn away 7,000 students and several hundred students would not be offered enrollment at Cal State Bakersfield.

The next important date -- prior to the June budget deadline -- will come in mid-May when the governor will release his "May Revise," which will reflect the most current information on state revenue and spending.

In the remaining 45 days before our deadline, it is critical for the Legislature to enact a balanced approach so we can preserve the funding streams that support public safety and education in Kern County and California.

-- State Sen. Michael Rubio, D-Bakersfield, is one of four local elected officials writing about their work in The Californian. These are Rubio's opinions, not necessarily The Californian's. Next Sunday: Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.